Nikon D610 vs D800
Discussion
Thought I'd post this for anyone considering buying a Nikon D610, and also to gauge opinion
I bought a D610 last week and until today, I was very pleased with it.
It's fast, not too big or small and the pictures are of fantastic quality. Basically its a really good FX camera that's ideal for motorsport and is a sensible price.
However...
I started to edit my test shots today and I have noticed what appear to be several largeish oil or dust spots in the top left of the frame!
They have got worse the more pictures I have taken, but still less than 250 shutter actuations. Using the sensor clean mode made it worse.
Nikon owners may recall the D600 suffering from this issue, although Nikon have never admitted there was a problem. The D610 is a minor update that was apparently supposed to have resolved any problems, so I'm gutted really.
I have spoken to the retailer and posted the camera back. They are offering a replacement, but I'm concerend that it might have the same issue at a later date.
I may just have been unlucky and ended up with a dud, a replacement might be fine. I did consider a D800 instead of the D610, as its a proven and reliable tool. Unfortuantely its £400 more, it's a bit slower, larger and heavier. It does have a 36MP sensor, but the downside of that is huge files.
Are there any PH D800 owners out there that can share their thoughts! In particular for motorsport photography
Final thought, I prefer Nikon as I have a fair few lenses etc, so don't wish to change to Canon etc
I bought a D610 last week and until today, I was very pleased with it.
It's fast, not too big or small and the pictures are of fantastic quality. Basically its a really good FX camera that's ideal for motorsport and is a sensible price.
However...
I started to edit my test shots today and I have noticed what appear to be several largeish oil or dust spots in the top left of the frame!
They have got worse the more pictures I have taken, but still less than 250 shutter actuations. Using the sensor clean mode made it worse.
Nikon owners may recall the D600 suffering from this issue, although Nikon have never admitted there was a problem. The D610 is a minor update that was apparently supposed to have resolved any problems, so I'm gutted really.
I have spoken to the retailer and posted the camera back. They are offering a replacement, but I'm concerend that it might have the same issue at a later date.
I may just have been unlucky and ended up with a dud, a replacement might be fine. I did consider a D800 instead of the D610, as its a proven and reliable tool. Unfortuantely its £400 more, it's a bit slower, larger and heavier. It does have a 36MP sensor, but the downside of that is huge files.
Are there any PH D800 owners out there that can share their thoughts! In particular for motorsport photography
Final thought, I prefer Nikon as I have a fair few lenses etc, so don't wish to change to Canon etc
The_Jackal said:
Most pointless reply of the week?
Really? A d600/d610, d800 and a second hand d3x are more or less the same price. d600/d610 is a compromised design and has the potential to render pictures unusable. The d800 file size is daft and with demanding handling sales are dropping. I was after two cameras to replace my studio ones. The budget could stretch to any of the three. The D3x is proven, bulletproof, reliable and takes fantastic pics. A far better option than d600/610 or the d800.D800E here I bought second hand and also noticed a couple of oil spots (few thousand actuations). 10 minutes with a sensor swab and cleaner and good as new.
I know Nikon don't like user cleaning of the sensor but it's not rocket science to do it.
Admittedly you shouldn't have to put up with it on a new camera and I can understand the annoyance but Nikon should clean it free under warranty, I wouldn't dismiss a good camera because of it.
I know Nikon don't like user cleaning of the sensor but it's not rocket science to do it.
Admittedly you shouldn't have to put up with it on a new camera and I can understand the annoyance but Nikon should clean it free under warranty, I wouldn't dismiss a good camera because of it.
Cujo Racing said:
I started to edit my test shots today and I have noticed what appear to be several largeish oil or dust spots in the top left of the frame!
They have got worse the more pictures I have taken, but still less than 250 shutter actuations. Using the sensor clean mode made it worse.
Presumably you have never changed lenses therefore can be certain it's coming from the camera? All DSLRs will get dust spots in use, most noticeable at small apertures. Fortunately I usually work with large apertures so they're rarely a problem.They have got worse the more pictures I have taken, but still less than 250 shutter actuations. Using the sensor clean mode made it worse.
Thanks, a couple of good points.
I was concerned about cleaning the sensor on a brand new camera, but as you say it is possible with care.
I don't know for certain that they are oil spots, I have changed lenses to fully test everything.
The spots are duplicating in a symmetrical fashion, so that is what suggests to me oil rather than random dust particles.
It is worth repeating that, with the exception of the spots, I was delighted with the quality of my test shots.
In particular, i found the low light performance impressive. At ISO 3000, the lack of noise and high levels of shadow detail are worthy of much more expensive cameras.
So perhaps I am being too hasty and should give the replacement D610 a fair go before abandoning it
I was concerned about cleaning the sensor on a brand new camera, but as you say it is possible with care.
I don't know for certain that they are oil spots, I have changed lenses to fully test everything.
The spots are duplicating in a symmetrical fashion, so that is what suggests to me oil rather than random dust particles.
It is worth repeating that, with the exception of the spots, I was delighted with the quality of my test shots.
In particular, i found the low light performance impressive. At ISO 3000, the lack of noise and high levels of shadow detail are worthy of much more expensive cameras.
So perhaps I am being too hasty and should give the replacement D610 a fair go before abandoning it
Dust is dust and something we will always have to live with especially using small apertures against plain backgrounds.
Cleaning is not so bad although obtaining a perfect result can sometimes be a challenge.
However, oil is a different game - certainly requires wet cleaning and has the possibility that it could be a long term recurring problem in a way that dust may not be, given self cleaning sensors. I would hazard a guess that self cleaning actions actually make oil spots spread somewhat and that they will be more of a problem on a high resolution sensor than on lower resolution.
As for action shots - no idea about the D800 potential but the file size would be a concern if the objective is to shoot a large set with as little culling as possible. I can't think of many commercial opportunities that would require the resolution (unless you intend to use a short lens and crop deeply) and if shooting for yourself you probably don't need it. However if the camera is to fulfil several requirements it might make sense since you can, I understand, also shoot in a reduced file size.
For fixing in post processing I would guess that spot type rather than dust type algorithms would be more appropriate for a clean result but I that also depends to some extent on how big the spots are compared to the size and use of the final output.
Keep us posted - these are interesting considerations.
Cleaning is not so bad although obtaining a perfect result can sometimes be a challenge.
However, oil is a different game - certainly requires wet cleaning and has the possibility that it could be a long term recurring problem in a way that dust may not be, given self cleaning sensors. I would hazard a guess that self cleaning actions actually make oil spots spread somewhat and that they will be more of a problem on a high resolution sensor than on lower resolution.
As for action shots - no idea about the D800 potential but the file size would be a concern if the objective is to shoot a large set with as little culling as possible. I can't think of many commercial opportunities that would require the resolution (unless you intend to use a short lens and crop deeply) and if shooting for yourself you probably don't need it. However if the camera is to fulfil several requirements it might make sense since you can, I understand, also shoot in a reduced file size.
For fixing in post processing I would guess that spot type rather than dust type algorithms would be more appropriate for a clean result but I that also depends to some extent on how big the spots are compared to the size and use of the final output.
Keep us posted - these are interesting considerations.
I have a D3 and D800 and wouldn't dream of using the D800 for action photography over the D3.
4 fps compared to 11 fps. Plus the D3 is proper pro and proper watertight, so wet days at Donington wouldn't bother it too much.
I use the D800 for landscapes only.
I have never taken the lens off the D800 since I got it, and still manage to have 3 dust spots (which electronic shaking will not shift). I refuse to take the lens off to clean the sensor as I will end up with 6 dust spots.
I too wouldn't rule out a second hand D3x (if you can put up with the size of the body) Some second hand bargains here from the VERY reputable (if expensive) Grays of Westminster http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secon...
4 fps compared to 11 fps. Plus the D3 is proper pro and proper watertight, so wet days at Donington wouldn't bother it too much.
I use the D800 for landscapes only.
I have never taken the lens off the D800 since I got it, and still manage to have 3 dust spots (which electronic shaking will not shift). I refuse to take the lens off to clean the sensor as I will end up with 6 dust spots.
I too wouldn't rule out a second hand D3x (if you can put up with the size of the body) Some second hand bargains here from the VERY reputable (if expensive) Grays of Westminster http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secon...
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 14th December 13:37
Many thanks for the replies, very helpful. They have underlined that the D800 is not the solution for me.
TBH I don't really want to lug round the D3x size and weight, it's also slightly slower than the 610 at 5fps v 6 fps
I'm sure it's a fine bit of kit, built like a tank and doesn't suffer from oil spots
However at those prices I could buy a couple of new 610's and use the change to buys some cleaning kits...
TBH I don't really want to lug round the D3x size and weight, it's also slightly slower than the 610 at 5fps v 6 fps
I'm sure it's a fine bit of kit, built like a tank and doesn't suffer from oil spots
However at those prices I could buy a couple of new 610's and use the change to buys some cleaning kits...
Cujo Racing said:
Many thanks for the replies, very helpful. They have underlined that the D800 is not the solution for me.
TBH I don't really want to lug round the D3x size and weight, it's also slightly slower than the 610 at 5fps v 6 fps
I'm sure it's a fine bit of kit, built like a tank and doesn't suffer from oil spots
However at those prices I could buy a couple of new 610's and use the change to buys some cleaning kits...
I think you are right to work with the 610... but FYI the D3x does 9fps in crop mode.TBH I don't really want to lug round the D3x size and weight, it's also slightly slower than the 610 at 5fps v 6 fps
I'm sure it's a fine bit of kit, built like a tank and doesn't suffer from oil spots
However at those prices I could buy a couple of new 610's and use the change to buys some cleaning kits...
Don't ignore the D700. Full frame loveliness from a few years ago, but still newer than the D3. Awesome image quality, great build quality, weatherproof and 8fps with the upgraded battery and grip.
A good one can be had for under £1k, and I very nearly bought a second one but went for a new D7000 instead. (Fancied the flexibility of using a combo of FX and DX)
A good one can be had for under £1k, and I very nearly bought a second one but went for a new D7000 instead. (Fancied the flexibility of using a combo of FX and DX)
budfox said:
Don't ignore the D700. Full frame loveliness from a few years ago, but still newer than the D3. Awesome image quality, great build quality, weatherproof and 8fps with the upgraded battery and grip.
A good one can be had for under £1k, and I very nearly bought a second one but went for a new D7000 instead. (Fancied the flexibility of using a combo of FX and DX)
yep and with the right battery / grip can match D3 fpsA good one can be had for under £1k, and I very nearly bought a second one but went for a new D7000 instead. (Fancied the flexibility of using a combo of FX and DX)
A quick update
I contacted the Nikon rumours site, and they have no other recorded instances of D610 oil spots. And I can't find anyone else who has experienced it online. Looking carefully at my first shots, shows that the spots were there very faintly to begin with. So hopefully I've just been very unlucky and it's just a 'Friday' camera
I'm going to stick with the replacement and I'll report back on progress.
All of the replies have given really useful insight, in many ways underline that the D610 has a fantastic specification for the money (I paid £1240 for the body).
All being well, I will be looking for a second Nikon FX body in the new year. So the suggested range of second hand options have given me a lot of food for thought. D700 in particular
Cheers all, fingers crossed
I contacted the Nikon rumours site, and they have no other recorded instances of D610 oil spots. And I can't find anyone else who has experienced it online. Looking carefully at my first shots, shows that the spots were there very faintly to begin with. So hopefully I've just been very unlucky and it's just a 'Friday' camera
I'm going to stick with the replacement and I'll report back on progress.
All of the replies have given really useful insight, in many ways underline that the D610 has a fantastic specification for the money (I paid £1240 for the body).
All being well, I will be looking for a second Nikon FX body in the new year. So the suggested range of second hand options have given me a lot of food for thought. D700 in particular
Cheers all, fingers crossed
Update
I received a second Nikon D610 on Friday and have just posted it back!
It had a faulty viewfinder readout. No signs of oil spots, but low shutter count given the other issue.
The retailer has been ok, not their fault really. But I'll hold fire on praising them until I actually receive the promised refund.
So a great camera and spec for the price Nikon, but that's absolutely useless if your manufacturing and quality control are poor.
I'm also seeing D610 users on other forums now reporting oil spots.
My advice, based upon this experience, is steer well clear of the Nikon D610
For me its now back to the FX drawing board. I have sold most of my DX gear, but I hung onto a D5100 and 35mm f1.8 lens - so I can still do the family Chrimbo pics.
I'll see what the new year brings, a low milage D700 with grip is looking the most likely.
I received a second Nikon D610 on Friday and have just posted it back!
It had a faulty viewfinder readout. No signs of oil spots, but low shutter count given the other issue.
The retailer has been ok, not their fault really. But I'll hold fire on praising them until I actually receive the promised refund.
So a great camera and spec for the price Nikon, but that's absolutely useless if your manufacturing and quality control are poor.
I'm also seeing D610 users on other forums now reporting oil spots.
My advice, based upon this experience, is steer well clear of the Nikon D610
For me its now back to the FX drawing board. I have sold most of my DX gear, but I hung onto a D5100 and 35mm f1.8 lens - so I can still do the family Chrimbo pics.
I'll see what the new year brings, a low milage D700 with grip is looking the most likely.
I'm really sorry to hear that, what a shame.
I had a D600 with oil spots. Changed it for another D600 (this was before the 610 was announced), and save for a few dust spots (perhaps inevitable given i change lenses fairly often) it's been brilliant.
I had exactly the same thoughts about the D800 as you and the D4 was financially out of reach so the D600 kind of chose itself as a full frame Nikon.
I had a D600 with oil spots. Changed it for another D600 (this was before the 610 was announced), and save for a few dust spots (perhaps inevitable given i change lenses fairly often) it's been brilliant.
I had exactly the same thoughts about the D800 as you and the D4 was financially out of reach so the D600 kind of chose itself as a full frame Nikon.
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